Automobile light-signal.



J. SHANLEY & N. GORDON. AUTOMOBILE LIGHT SIGNAL. APPLICATION TILI ID JULY 9, 1913.

1,1 29,740. Patented Feb. 28, 1915.

3 w non $01.5

JameJJ/zazzze Jrmm GOIdaw.

JAMES SHANLEY AND Nomvmn GORDON, or ROCHESTER, New oaxi AU'roMoBrLE LIGHT-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented I (20:23, 1915 Application filed July 9, 1913. Serial No. 778,124.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, JAMns SI-IANLEY and NORMAN GoRnoN, citizens of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the countyv of Monroe and Stateof New York, have in vented new and useful Improvements in Automobile Light-Signals, of which the following is a specification.

The invention provides a signal mechanism designed chiefly for motor vehicles so that the intention of the driver of such vehicle may be ascertained by the operator of a following vehicle or one approaching in the opposite direction, thereby -avoiding a casualty when turning either-to the right or the left from a straight course,

The invention provides novel means for displaying the signal lights and for receiving and holding the number plate, particularly when the parts are adapted for .the.

rear light.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forthfillustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawings, forming a part I of the specification, Figure 1 is a front view of a signal light embodyingthe invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is I a cross section on the line 44 of Fig. 2:

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawings, by the same reference characters.

The numeral 1 designates side lamps such as are commonly used for automobiles and motor vehicles .generally. Each of the lamps consists of a casing 2 which is provided in its front with an opening 3 having the form of the head of an arrow, the point facing outward. The casing 2 contains a light 4 of the electric variety such as commonly used for vehicles. The openings 3 of the casings 2 may be covered by glass or other translucentmaterial, which may be colored so asto present a light of any desired color. When the light on the right is lighted it indicates that the machine is about to turn. to the left.

The lights 4; are included in electric circuits. A lamp 5 is located centrally between the side lamps 1 and is intended to be lighted at all times after dark and provides the usual tail lamp generally required to be carried by all motor vehicles. The lamp 5 consists of a casing 6 having an opening in its front which is covered by translucent material {7. A light 8 is arranged within the casing 6 and is included in the same circuit with thelights 4. A tube 9 connects each of the side lamps with the center lamp and is secured at its ends to the casings of the respective lamps. These tubes also receive the wires 10 by means of which the'current is supplied to the several lights. The lights embody the usual incandescent electric light bulbs.

The number plate 11 is attached to the outer ends of the tubes 9 and serves in a measure to strengthen and brace thesame. The'light from the center lamp illuminates the number plate and a portion of the casing 6 overhangs the number plate and is open at its bottom, as shown at 12, to permit the rays of light to shine upon the-number plate.

. The lower portion of the casing 6 flares to spread the light and make it possible to read the matter on the number plate at some dis:

tance from the vehicle.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the'construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while we have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which we now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, we desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative andthe casing of the center lamp having its lower portion flared and open at its bottom,

, tubes "connecting the casi11"s of the side In testimony whereof We afix our signalamps with the casing of t e center lamp, tures in presence of two witnesses. and a number plate attached at its ends to I e v JAMES SHANLEY. the outer ends of the tubes and reerwerdly s 5 spaced from and underlapping the front 'NORMAN G ortion of the center lamp to be illuminated Witnesses: y the rays shed through the ope 1 in the JOHN W. Moms,

bottom thereof. EDWARD MCDONOUGH. 

